3 Ways an Off-Season Outer Banks Trip Works for Families
By Aaron Tuell
Nov. 17, 2020
From an intimate family gathering to a full-scale celebration, the off-season is an excellent moment to experience the Outer Banks with the people you love.
Summer on the Outer Banks is certainly remarkable, but the off-season reveals a different kind of charm. With milder weather and fewer visitors, families can slow down and enjoy more of what the region has to offer. Fresh food, scenic landscapes, historic places, and distinctive local culture all help make the Outer Banks one of the great family trips in the US. Here’s why OBX is such a fitting coastal setting for an off-season family escape.
Off-Season Vacation Rentals Bring Home-Style Comfort
Home has its own magic, of course. Still, the Outer Banks has a character all its own, with vacation homes along the 100-mile shoreline that create an easy home base for your trip. Whether the getaway includes children or the entire extended family, everyone can stay together comfortably under one roof. Rental management companies help simplify the search for a place that matches your group’s needs.
Twiddy Rentals offers over 1,000 vacation rentals, with choices that include oceanfront properties, pet-friendly homes, and houses with elevators.
Brindley Beach Rentals brings 35 years of experience to helping families choose the right place for their stay, from a relaxed beach vacation to a luxury celebration.
Great Food and Drinks Without the Wait
If your family loves seafood, the Outer Banks delivers. Many restaurants serve seasonal favorites such as sweet crabs and fresh oysters throughout the year. You can also catch your own during excellent off-season fishing or pick up local seafood from a nearby market.
Seafood is only part of the story. You’ll also find outdoor farm-to-table restaurants with views, flavorful Tex-Mex choices, and familiar favorites like pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and other easy handheld meals. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants are available for plant-based diners, too.
Craft cocktails can be found in plenty of places, but stocking the house with favorite drinks and mixers is also part of the family-retreat plan. Brew Thru, the drive-thru drink store, lets guests pull in, review a menu, place an order, and have purchases loaded directly into the vehicle.
Off-Season Activities Keep the Trip Full
Whether your family wants outdoor adventure, historic landmarks, or a quiet appreciation of the area’s natural scenery, the Outer Banks has all of it. Visiting in the off-season may also help you save a buck or two.
Paragliding, hang gliding, paddleboarding, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding are all available to enjoy. Self-guided walking experiences, including the immersive Outerlore, work well for do-it-yourself explorers by pairing historical context with peaceful views.
Scenic drives are another calm way to see the area, and there are several worth considering. The Basnight Bridge is a standout, stretching nearly 2.8 mile-long and rising 90 feet above the Oregon Inlet. It carries travelers to Hatteras Island via the NC-12 highway.
That same iconic, 148-mile-long highway connects the peninsulas and islands of the northern Outer Banks, making it a rewarding drive no matter where you begin. Head north toward Corolla, or travel south through Nags Head and onto the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.
From there, continue through Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where miles of unspoiled shoreline await, then take the ferry to Ocracoke for a completely different feel. Since it is the off-season, families can take in the region without heavy traffic or crowded attractions.
When it is time to make lasting family memories, the Outer Banks is ready with plenty to explore during the off-season.
Author
Aaron Tuell
Public Relations Manager at the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau